HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-21-2001-9dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 21, 2001
Action Agenda
Item No. ~~
SUBJECT: Proposal To Amend The Joint Planning Area Zoning Atlas For The Homestead
Site On Homestead Road (JPA-CH-Z-01)
DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
^ 7-11-01 Draft Planning Bd. Minutes Craig Benedict, ext. 2592
^ Proposed Resolution of Adoption Gene Bell, ext. 2589
^ 4-11-01 Public Hearing Minutes TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
^ Joint Staff Report, 4-11-01 Agenda Hillsborough 732-8181
^ Excerpt from JPA Agreement Chapel Hill 968501
Concerning Rezonings Durham 688-7331
^ Chapel Hill Ordinance Amending the Mebane 33fi-227-2031
Zoning_Atlas_
PURPOSE: To consider a decision on a request to amend the Joint Planning Area (JPA) zoning
atlas for the Homestead site on Homestead Road (JPA-CH-Z-01).
BACKGROUND: An application by a private developer to rezone a 48.11 acre site on the north
side of Homestead Road was presented by Roger Waldon, Chapel Hill Planning Director, at the
Joint Planning Public Hearing on April 11 2001. The property is identified as Chapel Hill
Township Tax Map 24, lot 16 and a portion of lot 12. The property owner requested that the
property be rezoned from the Residential-2 (R-2) zoning district to the Residential-4-Conditional
(R~-C) district.
In that the property is located in the Chapel Hill JPA Transition Area, zoning changes require the
approval of both the Chapel Hill Town Council and Orange County Commissioners. To receive a
positive staff recommendation, residential rezonings must be compatible with the residential
densities recommended in the JPA Land Use Plan. The maximum of 4.1 units per acre proposed
in JPA-CH-Z-01 is compatible with the plan recommendation of 1-5 units per acre for the area.
The Chapel Hill Town Council considered JPA-CH-Z-01 on June 25, 2001 and voted to approve
the amendment. "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CHAPEL HILL ZONING ATLAS FOR THE
HOMESTEAD DEVELOPMENT" is included as an attachment. Of special note is the inclusion of
15% affordable housing.
The Orange County Planning Board considered JPA-CH-Z-01 on July 11, 2001 and voted
unanimously to recommend approval.
Staff notes that the Greene Tract is northwest of this site on the opposite side of the railroad
tracks. As plans evolve for Weaver Dairy extension, which parallels and is east of the tracks,
consideration for a connection to the west should be included.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial impact is associated with this decision item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends approval of JPA-CH-Z-01 co
with the July 11 Planning Board recommendation.
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MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
JULY 11, 2001
6:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nicole Gooding-Ray (Chair), Lynn Holtkamp (7:30), Barry Katz, Howazd
McAdams, Rachel Preston, Hunter Schofield, James Selkirk, Bob Strayhorn,
Maria Tadd, and Theodore Triebel
MEMBERS ABSENT: Craufurd Goodwin, Runyon Woods (both excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Craig Benedict, Gene Bell, Joanna Bradshaw, Robert Davis,
Eddie Kirk, Karen Lincoln, and Tina Moan
AGENDA ITEM #1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Gooding-Ray called the meeting to order.
AGENDA ITEM #2: CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
AGENDA ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -May 2, 2001
MOTION: Preston moved approval of the minutes for May 2, 2001. Seconded by
McAdams.
VOTE: Unanimous
AGENDA ITEM #4: COMMISSIONERS' MEETING ACTION REPORTS
October 3, 2000; October 17, 2000; November 1, 2000; November 21, 2000;
December 4, 2000; January 18, 2001; February 7, 2001
There were no comments.
AGENDA ITEM #5: PUBLIC CHARGE
The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge.
AGENDA ITEM #6: CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Gooding-Ray welcomed new Planning Board member Maria Tadd.
AGENDA ITEM #7: COMMITTEE/ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS
a. Board of Adjustment - McAdams reported that there was a meeting in
June where a case was heard for an assisted living center. There was
opposition from the neighbors, so this case was delayed until July. The
case was approved in July.
b. Agricultural Preservation Board - no meeting
c. Ordinance Review Committee - no meeting
d. Transportation Task Force - Triebel reported that there was a meeting in
June. This was an informational meeting.
1
referencing the conservation easement as a special use condition for the rezoning wherever it is being transferred
to.
4 Chair Gooding-Ray asked that the Planning Board be invited to any presentations that aze made to the Boazd of
5 County Commissioners. The Planning Board needs to be educated about the comprehensive plan.
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7 Schofield asked if there were any other ways that the Planning Boazd would be interfacing with the Planning
8 staff other than as a reactionary group. Benedict said that the staff would be bringing in scenazios for the
9 Planning Board's review. The Planning Board is also invited to the Ordinance Review Committee meetings.
10 Schofield is worried that the Planning Board's input is less meaningful if it is choosing between the three end
11 products and does not know much about the process. Benedict assured Schofield that the Planning Board would
12 be involved in the process.
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14 Chair Gooding-Ray suggested that an update be given on the comprehensive plan at each Planning Board
l5 meeting.
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17 Schofield said that he would personally like to be involved in the process.
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19 AGENDA ITEM #9: MATTERS HEARD AT JOINT PLANNING AREA PUBLIC HEARING
20 (APRIL 11, 2001)
21 ~ a. Proposal to Amend the Joint Planning Area Zoning Atlas to change the
22 zoning of a site on Homestead Road frnm Residential-2 to Residential-4
23 Conditional.
24
25 BACKGROUND: An application to rezone a 48.11 acre site on the north side of Homestead Road was presented
26 at the Joint Planning Public Hearing on April 11 2001. The property is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map
27 24, lot 16 and a portion of lot 12. The property owner requested that the property be rezoned from the Residential-2
28 (R-2) zoning district to the Residential-4-Conditional (R-4-C) district.
29
30 In that the property is located in the Chapel Hill JPA Transition Area, zoning changes require the approval of both
31 the Chapel Hill Town Council and Orange County Commissioners. Ta receive a positive staff recommendation,
32 residential rezonings must be compatible with the residential densities recommended in the JPA Land Use Plan.
33 The maximum of 4.1 units per acre proposed in JPA-CH-Z-O1 is compatible with the plan recommendation of 1-5
34 units per acre for the area.
35
36 The inclusion of 15% affordable housing in the rezoning and special use permit proposal is a progressive aspect.
37 Access to the Greene Tract from Weaver Dairy Road should be considered.
38
39 The Chapel Hill Town Council considered JPA-CH-2-01 on June 25, 2001 and voted to approve the amendment.
40 °`AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CHAPEL HILL ZONING ATLAS FOR THE HOMESTEAD
41 DEVELOPMENT" is included as an attachment.
42
43 RECOMMENDATION: Planning staff recommends approval of JPA-CH-Z-01.
44
45 Bell made reference to the Joint Planning Agreement and stated that it specifies that there are certain situations
46 where there is joint approval on projects. The Homestead Road area is outside the Town of Chapel Hill's town
47 limits, but it is within the Chapel Hill Transition Area component of the joint planning area. As such, any
48 changes to the zoning have to be approved by both the Town of Chapel Hill and the Boazd of County
49 Commissioners. The application is to rezone a 48.1,1-acre site an the north side of Homestead Road.
50
51 Jack Smyre from Kimley-Horn made a presentation. He said that Chapel Hill unanimously approved the
52 rezoning as well as the special use permit on June 25~'. He said that as an additional condition the applicant
53 offered that 15% of the housing would be affordable housing, defined as affordable to families at 80% of the
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median income. The units would be townhouses. He asked for the Planning Board's consideration of this
rezoning request.
Several clarifying questions of the board members were answered satisfactorily by Jack Smyre.
The affordable housing would be subsidized at approximately $25,000 per unit. All units except the affordable
housing units have two-car garages. All of the units would still be below the median price of housing in Chapel
Hill.
MOTION: Strayhorn moved approval of the amendment to the Joint Planning Area zoning
atlas for the Homestead site on Homestead Road (JPA-CH-Z-01). Seconded by
McAdams.
VOTE: Unanimous
AGENDA ITEM #10: MATTERS HEARD AT PUBLIC HEARING (May 29, 2001)
a. Special Use Permit, Class A (Historic Sites Non-Residential-Mixed Use)
1. Bed and Breakfast Use
Tina Moon made this presentation.
BACKGROUND:
Request
~olicant: Elizabeth F. Davidson
Location 701 S NC 57, Little River Township
Current Conditions
Zoning: Rural Residential (R-1)
Little River Protected Watershed (LITTLE-PW)
Land Use Classification: Rural Community Node
Ad'acent Pro a Zonin Rural Residential (R-1) & Agricultural Residential (AR)
Ac_ reaee: 47.17
(46.02 acres excluding right-of--way)
Information/Issues at Public Hearin op Ma 29 2001
• Condition #6. The sign, if illuminated shall use solar powered, ground lighting.
• Applicant is concerned that solar-powered sign may not provide sufficient lighting.
• Condition #7. The applicant shall dedicate the property within the right-of--way and the small portion on the
eastern side of the right-of--way to NCDOT or Orange County prior to commencing operation.
• Applicant considers right-of-way dedication requirement too rigorous for three-room guest
establishment.
(Applicant's responses to all eight conditions are enclosed as an attachment.)
Development Process, Schedule and Action
1) Public Hearing on May 29, 2001.
• Historic Preservation Commission reviewed Special Use Permit on June 27, 2001 and determined that
proposed use maintains the historic character of the house and property as required in Section $.8.24.2
b) of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance.
2) Planning Board to make recommendation to BOCC.
• Planning Board shall make a recommendation within 3 regularly scheduled meetings.
d
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE JOINT PLANNING AREA ZONING ATLAS
WHEREAS, Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill entered into a Joint
Planning Agreement dated September 22, 1987, as amended April 2,
1990; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Joint Planning Agreement, a Joint Planning Area
Land Use Plan and Map were adopted on October 13, 1986; by all parties
to the Joint Planning Agreement, and have since been amended on
several occasions; and
WHEREAS, a Joint Planning Area Public Hearing was held on April 11, 2001 to
consider an application (JPA-CH-Z-01) to rezone a 48.11 acre site on the
north side of Homestead Road in the Chapel Hill Joint Planning Transition
Area; and
WHEREAS, zoning changes to property located in the Chapel Hill Joint Planning
Transition Area require the approval of bath the Chapel Hill Town Council
and Orange County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council considered JPA-CH-Z-01 on June 25,
2001, and adopted "An Ordinance Amending the Chapel Hill Zoning Atlas
for the Homestead Development"; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Planning Board recommended approval of
JPA-CH-Z-01 on~July 1.1, 2001.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners:
That the portion of the site identified as now or formerly Chapel Hill
Township Tax Map 24, Lot 16 and a portion of Lot 12, that are currently
zoned Residential-2 (R-2), located north of Homestead Road, between
the University Branch Southern Railroad and Homestead Park, shall be
rezoned to Residential-4-Conditional (R~-C) zoning, with the following
limita#ions on uses:
That residential development shall be limited to a maximum density of
4.1 units per acre; and
That a minimum of 15% of the proposed dwelling units shall consist of
permanently affordable units available for private ownership. An
affordable dwelling unit shall be defined as a unit that is priced at a
level affordable to households earning 80% or less of the median
income for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Statistical
Area (MSA), as provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD).
The description of the site to be rezoned is indicated on the attached map.
This resolution becomes effective upon adoption.
This the 21st day of August, 2001.
Stephen Halkiotis, Chair
Board of Commissioners
APPROVED 6/19/2001
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN
APRIL 11, 2001
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met with members of the Chapel Hill Town Council
and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen for a Joint Planning Area public hearing on Wednesday, April 11,
2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the board room of the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, North
Carolina.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT; Chair Stephen H. Halkiotis and Commissioners
Margaret W. Brown, Alice M. Gordon and Barry Jacobs
COUNTY COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Moses Carey, Jr.
CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rosemary Waldorf and
members Flicka Bateman, Pat Evans, Kevin Foy, Jim Ward and Edith Wiggins
CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN PRESNET: Mayor Michael R. Nelson and members
Allen Spalt, Diana McDuffee, Alex Zaffron and Jaal Hall Broun
COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Manager
Rod Visser and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT
AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
A. OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
Introductions were made. Chair Halkiotis stated that Commissioner Carey was out of town
and regretted that he could not attend the meeting. He described the process for the meeting.
B. PUBLIC CHARGE
Chair Halkiotis dispensed with the reading of the public charge.
C. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
Roger Waldon, Chapel Hill Planning Director, made a power point presentation on behalf
of the planning departments of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County.
1. JPA-1-01 requests that the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan be amended to reflect
designations for the Chapel Hill Transition Area recently adopted by the Chapel Hill Town Council as
part of Chapel Hill's Comprehensive Plan. Amendments to the JPA Land Use Plan require the
approval of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County as specified in the Joint Planning Agreement.
Roger Waldon said that overall the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan has worked very
well. This request was brought by the Chapel Hill Town Council. Chapel Hill has requested that the
Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan be amended to incorporate Chapel Hill's land use plan that was
adopted last May. This area is the northwest area of the Chapel Hill community. He identified the
area on the map. He identified the residential areas and the annexed portion of Eubanks Road, which
the Town of Chapel Hill has annexed. He described the five changes that were made in the plan that
the Chapel Hill Town Council adopted as follows:
A motion was made by Pat Evans, seconded by Edith Wiggins to refer the proposed
amendment to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Map to the Chapel Hill Planning Board for
consideration and a recommendation to come back to the Town Council on May 7, 2001.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Diana McDuffee, seconded by Joal Hall Broun to refer the
proposed amendment to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Map to the Carrboro Planning
Board for consideration and a recommendation to come back to the Tawn Council.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
With respect to the Greene Tract, Mayor Waldorf said that she, Mayor Nelson, and
Commissioner Carey got together with the managers and worked on how to get through this and
developed a framework for a process. She said that it was the County Managers responsibility to
write out the process and bring it forward.
2. JPA-Cho el Hill-Z-1-01 requests the changing of the zoning of a site on Homestead Road
from Residential-2 (R-2) to Residential-4-Conditional (R-4-C). Rezoning requests in the Chapel Hill
Transition Area require the approval of the Orange County Commissioners and the Chapel Hill Town
Council.
Roger Waldon said that the Town of Chapel Hill's development ordinance, which is hereby
incorporated by the County by reference for application in the Chapel Hill Transition Areas, has a
provision for conditional use zoning. Conditional use zoning allows a property owner to request a
rezoning and voluntarily limit the use of the property. If the property is rezoned, development must
occur pursuant to approval of a special use permit. For this property, the applicant is requesting this
conditional use zoning, which would allow a higher density than four units per acre. The property
owner is voluntarily agreeing to a condition that would limit the density to four units per acre. The
reason for the rezoning request has to do with floor area ratios, open space, and land use intensity
ratios that would allow the development to be clustered. If the rezoning were approved, then a special
use permit would follow, which would be reviewed and approved by the Chapel Hill Town Council. He
said that the feature that was desirable with this case is that it would allow the design solution that
could cluster the density in one part of the site, leaving another part of the site available as open
space, recreation, etc. The recommendation of the Orange County Planning Department and the
Chapel Hill Planning Department is to approve the rezoning.
Commissioner Brown asked several questions, which were answered by Roger Waldon.
Commissioner Gordon asked about the process of the rezoning and the special use
permit. Roger Waldon said that if something is completely within Chapel Hill's Town limits, a
conditional use rezoning request is usually accompanied by a special use permit request. The
rezoning has to be approved first and the special use permit second.
Mayor Waldorf said that she could not remember a time when the rezoning and the special
use permit were not done an the same night.
Commissioner Gordon did not understand why the Board of County Commissioners was
involved in the rezoning and not the special use permit if they were tied together. Roger Waldon said
that it was because the joint planning agreement says that in the transition areas any change in
zoning needs the affirmative vote of the Board of County Commissioners and the Town Council.
Commissioner Gordon asked about the road to the west that hooks up to the University
piece and Roger Waldon said that on the thoroughfare plan it is an arterial road.
Public Comment
Jack Smyre from Kimley Horn and Associates spoke in support of this rezoning. They are
the engineers and planners for this project. He said that what was driving the rezoning request was
the floor area issue. The agenda explains that under the current R-2 zoning the floor area would be
850 square feet per unit and going to R-4 would allow about 2,040 square feet per unit. This rezoning
allows them to get to a threshold to provide family-oriented housing. Affordable housing will also be
provided on 15% of this tract as a condition.
Commissioner Brown asked far a description of the affordable housing and Jack Smyre
said that it would be townhouses for ownership. The townhouses must be owner-occupied.
Kevin Fay said that he was glad that affordable housing would be provided. He asked if
Kimley Horn was working with the Land Trust and Jack Smyre said yes.
Rosemary Waldorf said that before this application was filed, there was a council
committee that worked with the applicant. She verified that the affordable housing component is one
that does not require a County subsidy.
Commissioner Brown asked if there was along-term component to the affordable housing
and Jack Smyre said yes.
Geoffrey Gledhill said that Robert Dowling has contacted him about using the land trust
declaration as the affordable housing component of this project.
A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to refer
this to the Orange County Planning Board for consideration for a recommendation to the County
~, ~ ~ Commissioners.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made by Pat Evans, seconded by Jim Ward to refer this to the Chapel Hill
staff and Planning Board for consideration for a recommendation to the Town Council.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
D. ADJOURNMENT
With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The next
meeting will be held on April 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Government Services Center in Hillsborough,
North Carolina with the Orange County Board of Health to be followed at 7:30 p.m. with a budget work
session.
Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair
Beverly A. Blythe, CMC
5
11
MEMORANDUM
To: Orange County Board of Commissioners
Chapel Hill Town Council
Orange County Planning Board
John Link, Orange County Manager
W. Calvin Horton, Chapel Hill Town Manager
FROM: Orange County Planning Staff
Chapel Hill Planning Staff
DATE: April 11, 2001
SUBJECT: JPA-CH-Z'1-Ol THE HOMESTEAD ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT -
Proposed Amendment to the Joint Planning Area Zoning Atlas
The purpose of this Joint Planning Area Public Hearing is to receive public comment on a
proposal to amend the Joint Planning Area (JPA) Zoning Atlas to change the zoning for a site
along Homestead Road from Residential-2 to Residential-4-Conditional (R-4-C). The site is
located in the Chapel Hill Joint Planning Transition Area, adjacent to the existing Chapel Hill
Corporate Limits.
Background
The Town of Chapel Hill has received an application for a Zoning Atlas Amendment to rezone a
48.11-acre site that is located north of Homestead Road, east of the University Branch Southern
Railroad, west of Homestead Pazk and south of the recently approved Pazkside II Subdivision.
The property is currently located within the Residential-2 (R-2) zoning district, and is identified
as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 24, Lot 16 and a portion of Lot 12 (PIN# 9880-01-0417 and
PIN # 9870-92-6174). The property owner has requested that the site be rezoned from
Residential-2 (R-2) to Residential-4-Conditional (R-4-C). The owner has also submitted a letter
outlining voluntary limitations regazding the future use of the site, if the Residential-4-
Conditional (R-4-C) zoning is approved for this site.
Summa of the Cha el Hill and Joint Plannin Area Land Use Plans
A Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan was adopted in 1986. Also in that yeaz, Chapel Hill
adopted a new Land Use Plan. We note that there aze some minor differences between the
land use designations in some of the azeas on the two maps. For this pazcel proposed for
rezoning, the land generally between Homestead Road and Eubanks Road, and between the
railroad tracks and the Chapel Hill City Limits, the property is designated "Medium
Residential" on the Chapel Hill plan, but "Suburban Residential" on the Joint Planning Area
1
plan. The difference is that Chapel Hill's designation calls for 4-8 units per acre, and the
1986 Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan designation specifies 1-S units per acre.
There are differing opinions as to which of the two land use maps is the most appropriate
source of land use designations for joint planning in the Chapel Hill Joint Planning Transition
Area, and whether or not the 1986 Chapel Hill Land Use Plan was incorporated by reference
into the 1986 Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan. We note, however, that the differences
between the two 1986 plans aze minor. In the case of the parcel in question and the proposed
rezoning (specifying ~ units per acre), the proposed rezoning is consistent with both the
Chapel Hill and Joint Planning designations.
Zonin Atlas Amendments
Zoning determines the type and intensity of uses and development that aze allowed on a piece of
land. A Zoning Atlas Amendment involves a change to the current zoning, and thus the
permitted types and intensity of land uses. In accordance with the Town of Chapel Hill's Zoning
Ordinance, a rezoning may be requested in two ways: general use and conditional use rezoning
requests..
A general use rezoning request is a proposal to change the zaning to a different zoning district in
which any of several kinds of developments and uses are permissible. A conditional use
rezoning request is a proposal to allow development and uses only with (1) specific limitations,
and (2) the approval of a Special Use Permit. The Homestead rezoning application is a
conditional use rezoning request. Consequently, if the Homestead conditional use rezoning
request were to be approved, the applicant would still need to receive approval far a Special Use
Permit application from the Town of Chapel Hall, prior to development actually occurring on the
site.
The zoning designation of a property determines the range of land uses and development
intensities permitted on the property. Article 20 of the Town of Chapel Hill's Development
Ordinance establishes the intent of Zoning Atlas Amendments by stating that, "In order to
establish and maintain sound, stable, and desirable development within the planning jurisdiction
of the Town it~ is intended that this chapter shall not be amended except:
a) to correct a manifest error in the chapter; or
b) because of changed or changing conditions in a particulaz area or in the
jurisdiction generally; or
c) to achieve the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan.
Article 20.1 further indicates:
It is further intended that, if amended, this chapter be amended only as reasonably
necessary to the promotion of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and in
conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.
1;
As related to conditional use zoning, Article 20 of the Development Ordinance stipulates that:
An application for rezoning to a conditional use district may include a request, by
the property owner, to limit the uses allowed with approval of a Special Use
Permit. An application for rezoning to a conditional use district may be
accompanied by an application for a Special Use Permit, as provided in Article
18, and may be reviewed concurrently with the Special Use Permit application.
The Orange County Boazd of Commissioners and the Chapel Hill Town Council have
discretionary authority to approve ar deny a rezoning request.
Existing Zoning
The site is presently zoned Residential-2 (R-2), which is aloes-density residential zoning district.
The Residential-2 zoning district requires a minimum of 10,000 squaze feet of gross land area for
a single-family house, and 21,780 square feet for atwo-family use. If the site is 5.0 acres or
lazger in size, then multi-family development is allowed in the Residential-2 district as part of a
Planned Development-Housing approved by the Council, at a maximum density of 4.0 units per
acre.
Pro osed Amendment to the Joint Plannin Area Zonin Atlas
The property owner has submitted a Zoning Atlas Amendment requesting that the site be rezoned
from Residential-2 (R-2) to Residential-4-Conditional (R-4-C). The owner has submitted a letter
outlining voluntary limitations regarding the future use of the site, if the Residential-4-
Conditional (R-4-C) zoning is approved for this site. We note that the applicant's letter (which is
attached to this memorandum) includes the following conditions of rezoning:
• "A 4.1 units per acre cap on the residential density of the rezoned acreage."
• "Provision of affordable housing (defined as 80 percent of the - azea's median
income for a family of four) at a rate of 15 percent of the total housing."
Analysis
Analysis of this application is organized azound the requirement of the Town of Chapel Hill
Development Ordinance that Article 20 of the Development Ordinance shall not be amended
except a) to correct a manifest error in the chapter; or b) because of changed or changing
conditions in a particulaz azea or in the jurisdiction generally, or c) to achieve the purposes of the
Comprehensive Plan.
Accordingly, we provide the following analysis:
A) A rezoning is necessary to correct a manifest error.
Sta,~' Comment: We believe information in the record to date can be summarized as follows:
1~
Arguments in Support: We were unable to identify any azguments in support of a manifest
error.
B) A rezoning is necessary because of changed or changing conditions in a particular area
or in the jurisdiction generally.
Staff Comment: We believe the information in the record thus faz can be summarized as
follows:
Arguments in Support: No Aguments have been made to date in support of changed or changing
conditions in this particulaz azea.
We note that the Chapel Hill Town Council has approved the following developments within 500
feet of The Homestead site (and located within the corporate Town Limits), during the past 7
years:
Date of
Approval
Tune 27, 1994
July 5, 1994
November 13, 1995
Mazch 13, 1996
Mazch 13, 1996
October 12, 1998
Development Application
Homestead Village Preliminary Plat
Southern Orange Human Services SUP
Project Homestart SUP Modification
Pazkside Preliminary Plat
Homestead Park
United Church of Chapel Hill
Location
Southwest
Southeast
Southeast
Northeast
East
East
C) A rezoning is necessary to achieve the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan.
Sta,~ Comment: We believe the ,information in the record thus faz can be s»*nrnarized as
follows:
Ar ants in Su ort: Arguments in support of this finding are offered in the applicant's
Statement of Justification (please see attached Statement).
Ar. guments in Opposition: To date, no evidence has been submitted indicating that this
development would not be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Preliminary Recommendation
The Planning staffs of Chapel Hill and Orange County recommend approval of the proposed
amendment to the Joint Planning Area Zoning Atlas. We note that .further evidence may be
submitted at the Public Hearing.
A
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE JOINT PLANNING AREA ZONING ATLAS
WHEREAS, Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill entered into a Joint Planning
Agreement, dated September 22, 1987, as amended Apri12, 1990; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Joint Planning Agreement, a Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and
Map were adopted on October 13, 19$6, by all parties to the Joint Planning Agreement, and have
since been amended on several occasions;
NOW THEREFORE, THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND
CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL HEREBY RESOLVE THAT THE JOINT PLANNIl~IG
ZONING ATLAS BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
That the portion of the site identified as now or formerly Chapel Hill Township Tax Map
24, Lot 16 and a portion of Lot 12, that are currently zoned Residential-2 (R-2), located
north of. Homestead Road, between the University Branch Southern Railroad and
Homestead Park, shall be rezoned to Residential-4Conditional (R-4-C) zoning, with the
following limitations onuses:
• That residential development shall be limited to a maximum density of 4.1
units per acre; and
• That a mirrimum of 15% of the proposed dwelling units shall consist of
permanently affordable units available for private ownership. An affordable
dwelling unit shall be defined as a unit that is priced at a level affordable to a
family of four earning 80% or less of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill median
income, as provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (H[TD).
The description of the area to be rezoned is indicated on the attached map.
This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption by the governing bodies of Orange County
and the Town of Chapel Hill.
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The Homestead
A Townhome Community
Statement of Justification -Rezoning
The applicant, C;EIVTSX HOMES, requests that an approximate 48-acre tract
(7.24..16 and a portion of 7.24..12) located north of Homestead Road and east of
the Univeasity Railroad line be rezoned from R-2 to R-4{G~- A rzzoning r~uest
for a zoning map amendment must be based on one or more of the following
reasons:
1) The amendment would coarct a manifest error in the map;
2) The amendment is warranted due to changed or changing
conditions im the area ar in the jurisdiction generally;
3) The amendment achieves the purposes of the Comprehensive
Plan.
The applicant bases this rezoning request upon the third reason above. The
requested zoning map amendment will achieve the purposes of the
Comprehensive Plan, as demonstrated below.
The property is identified on the Land use Plan ~ the rxeatly adopted
Comprehensive Plan as an area suitable for medi~rdemsity iesidential
devrdopment, 'KViedium ResideatiaC' is within the Co~mpmehensive Plan
as a density of 4-S residential units per acre. As one of the conditions of the
aP'P~t's RF(C) rrr~oning request. the applic~at is willing tv cap the density
for the 48~ parcel ai 4.1 units per acre. This density is well itelow the b mnits
per acre shown in the earlier C~pbual Plan for The Homestead and yet still in
harmony with the Town's Comp~eheasive Plan Land Use Plan.
Fie, the rezoanmg request is a~ by a Special Use Permit
application which will further several other articulated goals of the
ve Plan. Foe+emost among these is encauagemmt of a diversity of
haasiag opparttmities with the amity, wh~e at the same fime preserving
and p ousting traditional neighbo~toods. The proposed to~vnhom~e
ca~tmity. which this rig application facilitates. will provide four distinct
levels of home ownership within the coarnnunity, all below the average sale pricx
for a home within Chapel Bill, Not only is this a different farm of housing from
T1u Hgorappid
Rezoning Statement of Justifiprion
September 2DI)0
Page 2
the more usual suegle-family detached form of housing within Chapel Hill, but it
is offered at price points within the reach of much of the labor force of Chapel
Kill. At the same time, the relative isolation of the parcel from both. surrounding
neighborhoods and existing street frontages facilitates the goal of protecting
existing neighborhoods from the impacts of infill development.
SI~fr~Y• ~ rezoning will also further the stated goal of the Town to provide
affordable horsing (defined as affordable to a family of faun with 80 percent of
the area's median; income) at a level of 1S percent of the proposed housing. Not
only is this a goal of the Town whenever there is a rezoning, but that target level
of affordable housing is also included within the Compnehet<sive plan, The
applicant proposes to meet this goal threshold within The Homestead with
townhame ownership priced within those income guidelines.
.By conditionally rezoning the property and thereby requiring a Special use
Permit application instead of ente<taiaing a subdivision request for the property,
the stormwater goals of the Comprehensive Plan are feathered in that a
stormwater detention pLaa will be requured, incleriding the const<vction of
stormwater detention ponds. No such ponds are required ofsingle-family
detached developments.
Fux'thermore, the greenways and traasportation networks of the Town will be
furthered by completion of the, Weaver Dairy Road right-of-way carrido~r south
to Homestead Road and provision of the missing link of the Rail Trail greenway
corridor just east of the University Rafiroad line. Provision of these two missing
links will fierther the circalation alternatives for the c~mamity whether by
automobile, bicycle, or pedestrian in nature,
Finally, fire re~vning request has ben reduced.fivm the size and density of the
original 52-tepee Concept PLaa version to now provide as oppa~tnnity far -
~- faccilities to be located on the Homestead Road frontage area of the
original tract. A pvttiton of that Homestead Road frontage area is still included
within the project boundaries and within the rezoning request while the
remainder is now outside of the project boundaries and therefore available for
public acqunsi~ion, if so desired, Additionally, the portion still within the project
boundaries cennently has no planned program other thaw recreation.
In conclusion, the applicant asserts that, together with the accompanying Special
[Ise Permit application concrnrmtly submitted with this zoning amendment
petition, rcioning this 4$-acre property from R 2 to R-4(C) will unquestionably
achieve the goals and objectives of the Compreh~sive Plan.
1
SENT BY ~ RA1.t= I GH ; 3-28- 1 ~ 17 ~ 05 K I ld..EY-HORN 9199692014 ~ #
~EIVTLX 1-I~tME5
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Mr. xcager Waldoa
Planning Director
Town of Chapel I~'il!
30b Notch Col~nnbia Sweet
Chapel k1i11, N. G 27516
Mr. Craig Benedict
Planaing Diractar
Covnry of Orange
306E Revem Road
Flillahorough, N C. 27278
Re: Tha Homestead
(7.24..12 anti 7.?.4..1 b)
Conditions of t+czonitig
As we have diecussecl With Town staff and ccnmmn-icatcd in wilting within tho
application nuaterials~ Centex Homes willingly afI'eis cauditiaas that might be
l~~ ~ ~ xoning map smendmcut fi+om R-2 m R-4(G~nditional) for the
approximate 4$-acTS assemblage of ~ to be la~awa as The Horncstead.
The rexvning coaditiona affercd hxlude:
~ A 4.1 units pcx acre cap oa the xrsid~al density of the teraned
adage, which is well w;min the adopted Campcehensiv~e Plan's
tatgct deasiry of 4-R units per acre far the property.
+ Provision of affacdable housing (dofined as SO perea~t of the at+ea's
mediat- income foe a f~'ly of four) at a rate of 1S perxnt of the
fatal housing. .
Wo would he willing to fana-li~,e theso oonditians and have them attadu~d W the
zoning amendment by whatever means that Orange County and/or tits Tuwn of
Chapel N111 deems arac~ble.
5incer~ely.
• Lee Bann
Land Acxluisitions Mapager
Excerpt from Section 2.6, Text and Map Amendments, of the Joint Planning
Agreement
E. With respect to property that is located within the CHJDA Transition area, changes in
zoning classifications may not be made unless and until an ordinance approving such
zoning map amendment has been approved both by Orange County and Chapel Hill
following a joint public heazing by the two governing bodies. With respect to
property that is located within the CJDA Transition area, changes in zoning
classifications, including the creation of or changes to the `floating' conditional use
districts designed to implement the recommendations of the `Facilitated Small Area
Plan for Carrboro's Northern, Study Area' (Village Mixed Use conditional use
districts or Office/Assembly conditional use districts) may not be made unless and
until an ordinance approving such zoning map amendment has been approved both by
Orange County and Carrboro following a joint public hearing by the two governing
bodies. Requests for rezonings within the Transition areas that aze filed with the
County shall be referred to the respective towns to initiate the amendment process.
F. Froposed amendments to the text of this Agreement shall not become effective until
approved by the towns and an Orange County ordinance adopting the amendment is
adopted by Orange County.
Section 2.7 Representation of Transition Area Residents
Chapel Hill shall revise its Land Development Ordinance and Carrboro shall revise
its Land Use Ordinance to provide that at least one resident of each town's respective
Transition azea shall be appointed to each town's respective planning boadd and
board of adjustment, in the same manner as representation of extraterritorial planning
area residents is provided for in each Town's ordinance.
06/27/2001 13:26 FAa 9199692014 CHAPEL HILL PLAN
ORDINANGI~
(Rezoning to R-4-C zoning)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE GRAPEY, HILL ZONING ATLAS FOR THE
HOMESTEAD DEVELOPMENT -Chapel Hfll Tay Map Number 24, Lot 16 & Portion of
Lot iz ~zaox-o6-as~a~
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill has considered the application of Kimley-
Horn & Associates, Inc., to amend the Zoning Atlas to rezone property described below from
Residential-2 (R-2) to Residential~Conditional (R-4-C), and finds that the amendment is
warranted, in order to achieve the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan;
NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT OIZUA]NED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the
Chapel Hill Zoning Atlas be amended as follows:
SECTION I
That the portion of the site identified as now or formerly Chapel Hill Township Tax Map Z4, Lot
16 and a portion of Lot l Z, that are currently zoned 12.esidential-2 (R-2), located north of
Homestead Road, between the University Branch Sauthem Railroad and Homestead Park, shall
be rcaoned to Residential-~-Conditional (R~-G7 caning, with the following limitations on uses:
• That residential development shall be limited to a maximum density of a.l waits per acre;
and
• That a minimum of 15% of the proposed dwelling units shall consist of pramanently
affordable wets available for private ownership. Am a.$ordable dwelling unit shall be
defined as a unit that is priced at a level affordable to households earning 80% or less of
the median income for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA), as provided by the U.S. Department of Rousing and Urban Development (HUA)_
The description of the site to be rezoned is indicated an the attached map.
SECTION IY
That all ordinances grid portions of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
This the 2S'~ day of June; 2001.